Fort Smith residents demand focus on water infrastructure over new park developments

Concerns over Fort Smith's infrastructure and budget priorities dominated the recent Board of Directors meeting, as residents voiced their frustrations about rising utility rates and the allocation of city funds.

One resident passionately argued for a reevaluation of the utilities committee, suggesting that it should include a diverse group of experts, including a civil engineer and a finance department representative, to better address the city's pressing water and sewer issues. They emphasized the need to redirect nearly $1 million currently taken from the utilities budget to improve infrastructure, hire more staff, and fix ongoing leaks that plague the city.

The discussion highlighted a broader concern about the city's priorities, particularly the decision to pursue new parks instead of focusing on essential services that affect all residents. Another speaker echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Fort Smith already has over 29 parks and that funds would be better spent on maintaining existing facilities rather than creating new ones.

The meeting also touched on the significant financial strain on residents, with anticipated increases in water and sewer rates projected to rise by 3.5% annually for the next five years. This has raised alarms about the potential for residents to leave the city, further impacting local businesses and the economy.

In a related discussion, a proposal was made to repurpose the BOST building into a processing center for the homeless, aiming to provide temporary shelter and support for those in need. This initiative seeks to address homelessness in a structured way while minimizing costs by utilizing university interns.

As the meeting concluded, residents urged the board to prioritize infrastructure improvements and responsible budgeting, emphasizing that the city must serve its citizens effectively to foster growth and community well-being. The call for action was clear: Fort Smith's leadership must focus on the needs of its residents rather than less critical projects.